Abstract:
Many development economists have perceived introduction of new agricultural technologies
as vital for improving agricultural productivity growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. However,
adoption and use of these technologies have not been a complete success due to slow
adoption rates. In this paper, a socio-economic analysis of a recent technology introduced in
Ghana is conducted to provide vital information for policy makers. Specifically, an average
treatment effects framework is employed to simultaneously model adoption intensity and
determinants, whiles correcting for exposure (awareness) bias. Also, the technology impacts
on farm productivity and income are explored using an endogenous switching regression
model. Using survey data on SDRP (sustainable development of rain-fed lowland rice
production) adoption, the adoption intensity was estimated at 59%. Also, the empirical
estimates show that land quality related factors and perception of technology characteristics
drive farmers’ adoption decisions. SDRP adoption was also found to impact positively on
farm productivity and income
